Some possible suggestions...

[ACKROMAN]

Hi guys:

First off, I wanted to say thank you for the dedicated members who roam this forum for the sheer amount of information that you guys have provided to me personally, who's been lurking in the shadows trying to absorb all the information I can on the subject. With links, and your own stories, this place has literally been everything I was looking for the subject, and you guys have been great, knowingly or not, on giving people like me the information that we were seeking

Anyways, I am currently a 20 year old student at my local community college, in a major that to be honest with you, was something I picked because I didn't really know what else to pick. Some people are lucky to know their passions early, and they can plan for it, but mine came up all-of-a-sudden, and now I would like to be able to chase that dream into law enforcement.

What I am hoping to do is get a Bachelor of the Arts from TESC in Criminal Justice, find a job, and go from there into possible graduate programs if necessary. I chose TESC for the simple fact that they had the degree I was looking for, and as somebody who actually resides in New Jersey, I was hoping that I could actually avoid some of the issues that you guys were having and actually be able to drive over and talk to people as problems arose.

Here is my roadmap for completing my Bachelors in Criminal Justice. Please, any critiques of any kind would be very much appriciated. I tried to pick up as much information as I could with you guys, but I am sure I missed something.

BA in Criminal Justice (Thomas Edison State College)

Part 1: General Education Requirements

English Composition (6 credits):

• CLEP Exam “English Composition Modular” – 6 Credits

Humanities (12 Credits) (Must be two subject areas)

• CLEP Exam “Analyzing and Interpreting Literature” – 6 Credits
• CLEP Exam “Humanities” – 6 Credits

Social Sciences (12 Credits) (Must be two Subject Areas)

• CLEP Exam “American Government” – 3 Credits
• CLEP Exam “ Social Sciences and History” – 6 Credits
• CLEP Exam “ Introductory Psychology” – 3 Credits

Natural Sciences and Mathematics (12 Credits) (Must Be Two Subject Areas)

• CLEP Exam “College Algebra” – 3 Credits
• CLEP Exam “Natural Sciences” – 6 Credits
• CLEP Exam “Information Systems and Computer Applications” – 3 Credits

General Education Electives (18 Credits) (Including one Multicultural Studies Course)

• CLEP Exam “Intro To Sociology” – 3 Credits
• DSST Exam "Drug and Alcohol Abuse" – 3 Credits
• CLEP Exam “History of United States I” – 3 Credits
• CLEP Exam “History of United States II” – 3 Credits
• CLEP Exam “Western Civilization I” – 3 Credits
• CLEP Exam “Western Civilization II” – 3 Credits

Total: 60 Credits

Part II: Area of Study: Criminal Justice

Required Courses

Introduction to Criminal Justice

• DSST Exam “Criminal Justice” – 3 Credits


Public Policy and Criminal Justice

• TESC Course “Public Policy, Crime, and Criminal Justice” – 3 Credits

Criminal Law

• Penn Foster Course “Criminal Law” – 3 Credits

Criminal Behavior and Victimology

• TESC Course “Criminal Behavior” – 3 Credits

Research Methods

• TESC Course “Criminal Justice Research Methods” – 3 Credits

Criminal Justice Electives (18 Credits)

• DSST Exam “Introduction to Law Enforcement” – 3 Credits
• Penn Foster Course “Terrorism” – 3 Credits
• Penn Foster Course “White Collar Crime” – 3 Credits
• Penn Foster Course “Women and Criminal Justice” – 3 Credits
• Penn Foster Course “Criminology” – 3 Credits
• Penn Foster Course “Multicultural Law Enforcement” – 3 Credits

18 Credits must be from 300 or 400 level classes (I have 21 total)

Those classes are as followed:
• TESC Course “Public Policy, Crime, and Criminal Justice”
• TESC Course “Criminal Behavior”
• TESC Course “Criminal Justice Research Methods”
• Penn Foster Course “Terrorism”
• Penn Foster Course “White Collar Crime”
• Penn Foster Course “Women and Criminal Justice”
• Penn Foster Course “Multicultural Law Enforcement”

Total Credits: 33 Credits

Free Electives (27 Credits)
• FEMA Classes – 27 Credits

Total Credits: 27 Credits

Total Degree Credits: 120 Credits


If you guys allow me, I'd like to ask a couple questions about some of the finer points regarding this and the whole proccess. Again, I tried to pick up as much as I can, and thank you for all of the information that is already out there, just a couple minor points to help me understand everything better.

Firstly, I'd like to ask anybody out there if they have any other information regarding Criminal Justice classes and any tests that I can take for credit. As it seems, its one of those majors that those classes are something that have to be taken, whether online or in person. I looked at the big ones (CLEP, DSST, ECE, etc) and I really didn't see anything that would fit. Personally, I'd perfer to take as many tests as possible. I'd much rather be focused on passing a test than passing a course, but I didn't see anything to help me there, so I filled it up as best I could.

Secondly, what are people's experiences with Penn Foster versus some other online classes. It seems that there is a wide range of experiences with Penn Foster, ranging from the really good, to the really bad. I guess the question I am really looking for is, "Is it worth it to go to Penn Foster, or see if I can take these online classes at TESC?

And Finally, I would personally like to get some confirmation and justification on how to go about doing all this, and make sure I understand it so I don't start off doing one thing, then finding out that I went about it a completely wrong way. The way I understand it from reading stuff from you guys is that I take all the CLEP exams, have the scores sent to Penn Foster. Enroll in their program and take the classes there, pass them, then finally transfer all those credits to TESC, take whatever is left, and get my degree. As you can see from that, and from my previous question, I am wondering if its worth it to even include Penn Foster in the system.

Again guys, thank you for all the help you guys have given me lurking around the forums, and I thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

[marianne202]

I would say to add the Juvenile Delinquency exam and Substance Abuse exam to your plan. Both of these are covered and required in our college's criminal justice degree. These will be very beneficial to have on your transcript. I would also recommend you take some psych classes such as abnormal psych or behavior psych. I know there are some ECE's that cover these. The biggest suggestion I would make is to check out your local law enforcement HR websites and see what degree they prefer, then look at your local college programs and use those classes as a guide to ones you should be taking. While law enforcement agencies are looking for people with a degree, you will still need to complete a BLET program to get hired. You don't want to duplicate credits and you want to only take the classes you have to have. You also want to make sure the agencies in your area will hire you with the TESC degree. I'm not in law enforcement but have lot of friends that are, so this is second hand knowledge. I know we have several here that can give you more info. Shoto were are you????? Good luck!

[bricabrac]

Great initial plan! I would only add that you cannot use business courses for general ed, they would be used for free electives. Substitute principles of marketing and principles of management with Intro to Sociology and Intro to Law Enforcement. If you want to use the two business courses as part of your free electives, great; or you can also take advantage of 27 free FEMAs. I'm sure anyone in LE will greatly benefit from the FEMA courses.

[ryoder]

Nice pic bricabrac. I always wondered what you looked like! I love muppets!

[PonyGirl93]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think any of the courses you have under general ed electives are multicultural courses.

I've heard positive things about Penn Foster, but my experience dealing with them was such a nightmare that I turned to my local CC. It's worth checking out if there is a community college in your state with a Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement program. Mine had a decent selection of online classes, also cheaper than PF.

[ACKROMAN]

First off guys, thank you for the kind words of encouragement and your quick responses.

marianne, thank you for the warning. I do live in New Jersey, but I do know where I want to go. As a kid who has idolized NYC and spent most of my free time riding the train, and just being in that atmosphere (I know the City streets better than anywhere back at home!), my ultimate goal is to become an NYPD officer. Sure, I've thought of becoming something bigger than that (FBI, DEA, USMS, etc.), but with talking to other people who either have a federal LEO job, or working towards it, these are jobs that are few and far between, and just not viable at this point. Several of them have diversified career tracks that with a BA and a investigative experience, I could get hired, if I ever choose to apply (Part of the reason why I'm working towards a BA. NYPD only needs 60 credits), but right now, I'm focused at the city level.

bricabrac, thank you for the catch. I thought that General Education meant I could use things from the above 3, and I would've surely made that mistake at some point and be kicking myself. I took out Marking and Management, and for the moment replaced them with "Intro to Sociology" and "Drug and Alcohol Abuse" (As per marianne's suggestion). And thank you for telling me that TESC takes 27 FEMA credits instead of 24. I have adjusted that accordingly, and now have to take one less test. Not only is it good for my career choice, but who could say no to free credits?

PonyGirl93, thank you for the feedback. When I was writing this up, and I saw that, I think I had found a way to confuse myself. I thought I had that covered with Penn Foster Course “Multicultural Law Enforcement”, but after you bringing that up, I realized it was under my CJ electives, and not General Education. Do you, or anyone for that matter, have a good suggestion for something that will count towards the Multicultural requirement? I'd perfer an Exam, if possible, and I will be checking it out on my own when I get more time. As for Penn Foster, that is really the issue. There are some people that absolutely swear by it, and what I really like is being able to move at my own pace (When I get started on something, I'd much rather be able to just keep going, like a weekend of non-stop lessons), and it is cheaper than TESC. On the other hand, there have been horror stories. Right now, I am going to keep it in there, but that may or may not change after talking to someone from their school.

[bricabrac]

Ryoder...LOL. Fozzie has always held a special place in my heart.

PonyGirl....the OPs multicultural course sitting under area of study. If Ackroman adds substance abuse as Marianne suggests he has met all UL requirements within concentraton. It's swapping out one course in one space for another. Both are UL so it works out fine.

Ackroman,

To your final question (which I missed earlier), I took four PF courses and enjoyed them. You do not become a PF student, you take the courses as an independent student (see posts on the industrial/workforce number). I would begin by taking the CLEP/DSST/FEMA courses. Then apply to TESC and forward FEMA transcript. (while taking CLEP/DSST use the TESC code). While waiting for your evaluation begin your PF courses; I'm sure you could get them done within 2-3 months time. You can talk to an admissions counselor to confirm what PF courses you will need. As soon as you are close to completion, pay the TESC enrollment fee and register for TESC courses. Looks like you are taking three TESC courses which you could knock out over one semester, or two if necessary. Then you are done.

What I would do is if interested, plan on also adding on the AAS Environmental Safety and Security degree. All the courses you are taking also fulfill that degree and it will be free of charge if you do them both AAS and BA at the same time. And in my opinion, as a LE professional, that degree would look great on your resume.

Good luck !

[Storyteller]

AckroMan,
Make sure you take Clep College Composition (General) and not the Modular. Page 193 of TESC catalog shows that the modular is worth only 3 credits as opposed to the general which is 6.

[mrs.b]

One other note to add to Ponygirl and bricabrac's PF comments, make sure to always check a course is ACE approved and current prior to signing up for it as a non-enrolled student. I think that is one of the only major complaints with PF (slow or minimal customer service is another, but honestly, we do get what we pay for), because someone takes a course that, for whatever reason, loses its approval and you're stuck needing to take the course again elsewhere. PF is going through a review right now, and it's possible the courses will receive renewal, but in my opinion, it's better to be certain than waste time and money on something you cannot transfer to TESC if the course does not pass the renewal standards. On the ACE website, the course description should list Dates Offered to include Present, and the date at the very bottom of the write-up under credit recommendation should be within the past three years. A handful of courses have 3/11 but the rest are 07 or older. Those older ones are not yet updated, so it's possible they could see a revision.

I've done a few PF courses to fulfill general business requirements, and they were fine. It took a little while for them to approve a course when adding to the ACE transcript, but nothing unreasonable, and they did it immediately when reminded. In fact, the Principles of Finance was excellent in terms of making the material understandable (I'm not a finance wiz). I'm very glad I took it there than try to take the DSST exam or a TESC course. The provided study guide was great. I used it more than the text for quite a few of the concepts.

[PonyGirl93]

I seem to recall someone saying their Multicultural Law Enforcement course did not fulfill the multicultural course requirement. I believe the Cultural Diversity ECE fills it though. A quick forum search should clarify that issue.